Jack and the Beanstalk, Dronfield Civic Hall

The popular panto starts eight performances over two weekends from today, marking more than 40 years of pantomime for Dronfield Musical Theatre Group, formerly the town’s Light Opera Group.

The popular panto starts eight performances over two weekends from today, marking more than 40 years of pantomime for Dronfield Musical Theatre Group, formerly the town’s Light Opera Group.

“People still love a real-old fashioned pantomime for a family night out and that’s what we’ve been doing for many years,” said director Andrea Powell. “Our audiences know what they like and we aim to please.”

The story has ancuent roots and first time it appeared in print more than 200 years ago.

Dronfield’s version features all the familiar characters and keeps the tradition of having a girl, Ellie Ashmore, play principal boy.

“But we have one or two surprises up our sleeve which our audiences won’t have seen before. We might be traditional but we keep it fresh with a nod to current trends,” said Andrea.